Sun's top software exec headed to Adobe

John Loiacono, Sun Microsystems' executive vice president for software, is leaving the company for Adobe Systems, Sun confirmed Thursday.

Loiacono's last day will be March 24, Sun spokeswoman Stephanie Von Allmen said. Until a replacement is found, President Jonathan Schwartz--who held the software chief role before Loiacono--will take over the job.

Loiacono oversaw several major software changes at Santa Clara, Calif.-based Sun, including the beginning of the open-source Solaris operating system project and the announcement that Sun's server software will become free and open-source.